Steel fencepost



Feb. 6, 1923. 1,444,641 A. v. ROWE STEEL FENCE-POST Filed Nov. 25, 1922"the top ATE."

ALVIN-v. Rowe-or GALESBURG, nlrimors. I

STEEL FENCEPOST.

Application filed November 25, 1922. Serial No. 663319.

Toallwhomitmyconcerni Be it known thatI, ALVIN V. Rown, a citizen of theUnited States, a resident of Galesburg, in the county of Knox and Stateof Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in SteelFenceposts, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to steel fence posts, preferably made froma structural shape such as a T bar.

Steel fence posts made from T bars are not new. Some are rolled plainand a particular wire attaching means provided, and an anchor plateriveted or-otherwise attached thereto. Others are rolled with variousprotuberances and a special wire attaching means provided and an anchorplate applied by ,inserting the protuberances through openings in suchplate, and the protuberances then riveted down to secure theplate inplace. Whatever-the form has taken and in whatever manner the anchorplate has been applied it has been the aim to produce a strong, durableand inexpensive,

post, but for one reason and another these objects have notbeen fullyattained. I am, therefore, in the present invention to present a steelfence post, of T design which obviates the objectionable featuresheretofore encountered, as will be hereinafter more fully pointed out. 4

My invention has for one of its objects to provide the 3108 plate of theT bar with a plurality of spaced studs or protuberances; the studs beingof similar design, and each stud being preferably wedge shape, the frontface of each stud converging' downwardly from a broad top shoulder to asmall squared end. Forming the studs in the shape of wedges on the faceplate provides for their easy penetration of-the ground when the-post isdriven, and the earth filling in above the broad shoulders at of eachstud or wedge tends to seat and lock the studs and render the removal orwithdrawal of the post difficult.

The invention has for a further object to provide a new and improvedfastening for an anchor plate on the post, without weakening either thepost or the plate, in fact materially strengthening both. The anchorplate may be of any approved design, except that it shall have a bodyportion presenting an extended bearing surface on the face of the post,heated before its application to the post and then given a shrinkage fitto the pst. The contraction of the metal as it cools causing theplate'to' firmly .grip the post and become securely fastened thereon. Ipreferably provide the anchor plate with an opening through'which a'studwillprotrude, but which does not function as a securing means, exceptthat the wall of'the opening and one end wall of the anchor plate mayhave an abutting engagement with studs on the post and limitendwisemovement, in the event the anchor plate loosens on the post beingdriven.

That the invention may be more fully understood, reference is had to theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of the present'description,illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which Figure 1is a front elevation of. my improved steel fence post, partly brokenaway and with an anchor plate attached thereto, a section of fence,being shown in dotted lines; a i a Figure 2 is a-perspectrve view of aportion of the post;

Figure 3 1s a detail face View of the post and anchor plate; a

Figure 4'is a rear viewof Figure 3, and

Figure 5 is a'cro ss-section 'in plan as the same would appear iftakenon the line 5-5 Figure 3.

Like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout thefigures;

The post as made from a structural T shape includes the face plate 1 andthe rib or web 2.. The face of the plate 1' is rolled or otherwiseformed with a plurality of centrally disposed and spaced studs orprotuberances 3 preferably Wedge shaped, the wedgesbeing tapered'towardthe lower end of the post as shown. In the rolling of the shape and theforming of the studs 3, a rib 4 is formed centrally and'longitudinally'of the post, which aids, as will be shown, in the holding of theanchorplate 5 to the post; The face of each stud 3 converges from a broad topshoulder 6 at its upper end to a small shoulder 7 ,atits lower end. Aspreviously stated the wedge shape of the studs provides for their easypenetration in the ground when the post is driven, and the earth fillingin above the broad shoulders at the top of each stud or wedge tends toseat and lock the studs and render the removal or withdrawal of the tainof the studs -will also limit endwise The anchor plate may have anysuitable cross-sectional design so long as it has sulficient length andbreadth to provide a good bearing surface on the post, and includespreferably-a body portion\8 and wings 9 extending from either sidethereof. 'Said plate lies in juxtaposition to the face .plate 1 of thepost, conforming to the rib 4 on the front thereof and. gripping itsside edges,

and being bent-over the edges of the face plate 1, as at 10, see Figure5 in the form Theof a tongue and groove connection. plate 5 has anopening 11 therethrough adapted to be passed over a stud 3 on the post;such opening conforming substantially 1 to the shape of the stud, butlarge enough to allow for playof the plate on the post. The plate 5is ofsuch depth that when it is applied to a post with a stud 3 passingthrough the openin'gll in the plate, theupper edge of the plate isspaced a little below the lower end of the next and succeeding stud, andthe lower'edge of the plate preferably rests on the upper end of thenext and succeeding stud. The plate 5 preferably has a shrinkagefitonthe post, being first heated and when heated applied to the post,

the body 8 thereof being pressed to con-' form to the rib 4 on the faceplate of the post, and the said body also bent over and around the edgesof the face plate 1 of the post. As the plate .5 cools it will shrinkand as a result becomes firmly fastened on the face plate 1 of the post.If, however,'the anchor plate should become looseon driving the post itcan only have endwise movement, and this is limited by the play in.theslot 11 and the upper edge with t e lower shouldered end of thenext andsucceeding stud.

In Figure 1, dottedlinesdisclose' a emen of a fence attached to a post.The liiie wires A are attached by some suitable staple -fastener B, andthe line wires "as well as the staples are held against "downward move--ment, should ressure'beapplied to the wires in that directlon, by thebroadened shoulders on the upper ends Offliestud's 3; f

Whatlclaimis: ,1. In a structure of the scribed, in combination, a steelpost provided with a longitudinal web and said web provided withavplurality of spaced studs providing rests for fence wires, and an anof the-plate 5 engaging,

character de- I chor plate having a shrinkage fit on said post and theweb thereon and provided with an opening toreceive astud. 2. ln astructure of the character described, in combination, a steel postformed with a plurality of spaced wedge shaped studs providing rests forfence wires, and an anchor plate having a shrinkage fitfon said post andformed with earth engaging portionsextending on either side thereof. 7

3." In a structure of the character de-' scribed, in combination, asteel post having ity of spaced wedge shaped studs providing Tests forfence wires, and an anchor plate shaped studs providingrests for fencewires,-

and an anchor'plate having a shrinkagefit with the opposite edges ofsaid face plate and formed with earth engaging portions extending oneither side of said plate.

5. In a structure oft the character dea face plate provided with alongitudinal" web" and said web provided with a pluralscribed, incombination, a steel post having I a faceplate provided with a'pl'urality ofspaced studs to receive fence wires, and an anchor platehaving a shrinkage fit on said "face plate and providedwith' an openingto receive a stud, longitudinal movement of the anchor plate on saidpost being prevented .by the next adjacent stud above said anchor plate.

- 6. "A'steel fence post having a face plate provided with a centrallydisposed longitudinal web, and said web, having formed thereon. aplurality ofspa'ced wedge shaped studsfwhichare tapered. toward thelower endof thepo s't and providing rests forfence w1res. i

structure of. the character de'-' scribed, in combination, a steel fencepost prdvided'with a face plate havin'ga central longitudinal web, andan anchor plate having a shrinkge fit on said face plate and the webthereon.

Tnwitness whereof, I havehereunto afhand this 11th day of November, 1922.

ALVIN v. ROWE.

